Is it possible to obtain a nomination to the USMA while enlisted in another branch?

Question

...and not by Army service connection? Like say 3 or 4 years into Navy or Air Force and still under the age required for joining West Point? I fulfill everything for the General and Academic Requirements (on http://admissions.usma.edu/Prospectus/step_01.cfm). Yet I have found nowhere where anyone has the same question as me nor is it specified on the Prospect page about coming from a different branch. Or maybe it's common sense but I see no reason why not?

Answer 1

All initial military contracts are for 8 years with different splits between active duty and reserve duty. There is no way not to be obligated to another service branch and apply to West Point given the age limits to apply to West Point without a conditional release from a prior contractual obligation. Obtaining a nomination is different from being offered and accepting an appointment. To be able to accept an offer of appointment would entail obtaining a conditional release from the contracted military service obligation to another service branch. The General academic requirements are minimal requirements. With about 7 pre candidates applying for every offer of appointment, West Point can be very selective. A better gauge is the accomplishments of the Class of 2013 and even these understate what is required because they include candidates recruited to the Prep school for athletics and other recruiting goals.

http://admissions.usma.edu/moreInfo/Profile2013.pdf

A more accurate assessment is the Usafa Class of 2013 Profile that excludes from the statisitics appointments from the prep school:

https://admissions.usafa.edu/RRC/Class_of_2013_profile.pdf

But in general Usafa is less competitive than Usma receiving about 2,000 fewer applications. It only looks more competitive because Appointments from the Prep School are excluded from the Class statistics. If a pre candidate is not competitive directly out of high school, his best chance is to go to a college that has an rotc of the same service branch and enroll in a curriculum similar to a first year service academy cadet/mid or to a curriculum similar to the service academy prep school. An Rotc commander can nominate five cadets/mids to his service branches academy. Army Rotc and Afrotc is often available through cross town school arrangements to community college students. For instance over 20 of the cross town schools are community colleges:

http://airforcerotc.berkeley.edu/_crosstown-schools.htm

http://army.berkeley.edu/faq.shtml

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Possible? ...Yes.



Likely?...No.



Services like to take care of their own. Why would the Army give a slot to West Point to a Navy or Air Force guy when they have a ton of guys in the Army who would love to go? It would only be after all the guys in the Army have accepted and they still have an opening that they would "offer" it to someone in some other branch of service.

Answer 3

The Army will know everything about what happened with the Navy because you have had a military service record created for you and it will still be at MEPS. As long as you tell the Army the entire truth and disclose everything you will be fine. You will need waivers for your criminal stuff, but that is just a time issue and that's it. Always be truthful and you will be fine.